Travel writer Lee McCarthy – headed out west for our sister publication Travel Today – but what is it like being tourist over a certain age? Here’s her honest appraisal of heading west when you aren’t as young as you use to be but you still have an adventurous spirit.
Being a ‘Senior’ is a mixed bag. Many of us still don’t know how we got here so quickly and are still coming to grips with the reality of being a …senior.
The title though is earned and comes with many positives such as leaving work and deadlines behind, having the opportunity to spend time with those you love or at least like, eating whenever you feel like it but most importantly going wherever you want, whenever you want.
Having just returned from a week in Western Queensland with Outback Aussie Tours being waited on, driven around, served and told where to go and where to sleep I have decided it’s the life for me.
While the trip was for work, I was part of a group of fourteen who really had the best time on trains, boats, museums and shows, pubs and restaurants and tours.
It’s always a concern when you are going with a group of people you don’t know but my good friend from primary school Kay came with me so we were able to enjoy each other as well as our new friends.
We had travellers from Stanthorpe, Canberra, Brisbane, Toowoomba and we jumped on the train in Gympie and all added to the fun of the holiday.
Our hosts from Outback Aussie Tours were an absolute joy and whether it was Bob, Mick, Rob or Dave we were treated like royalty.
Now one of the best things was that everybody had something wrong with them. My friend Kay has bad knees, I have bursitis and bad lungs, everyone had a hip/knee/ankle issue and most compared notes on replacements/reconstructions and preferred treatment.
Ten years ago this would have horrified me but now that I am not as fit as I was, I actually dins a lot of comfort knowing no one is going to hurry or judge me as harshly as I judge myself for not keeping up.
The tour organisers know their clientele and cater to them perfectly.
The meals were all quality, real and healthy.
Guests were made to feel special and nothing was too much trouble for any of the staff.
The accommodation was warm and comfy with hosts going out of their way to add personal touches to make our stay more inviting and entice us back.
The highlights of the tour for me personally was the train trip both ways as we travelled from Gympie to Longreach economy so sitting up and back in a sleeper and both were exceptional.
I also felt Saltbush Retreat went over and above with magnificent accommodation and truly thoughtful treats and coffee pod machine to start our day on the right foot.
Our OAT hosts were all such gracious and gentle souls who not only looked after us so well, but also epitomised the look and generous spirit of the outback.
Kay and I both loved the Drover’s Sunset Cruise with commentary by Dave and included champagne and canapés at sunset in comfort.
Included was the Outback Dinner and Show at Smithy’s where we let our hair down to the entertaining Drew Blundell watching a few of our group show their line dancing moves as we cheered on.
We enjoyed damper, a nourishing tasty camp oven meal and the best brownies you have ever had.
The Qantas Museum I think was the star mainly because we watched a film on the history, toured the museum and the original hangar, enjoyed a very informative tour of the planes and their history, had drinks and canapés in the tower overlooking the tarmac for sunset watched a light and sound show projected onto the side of the aircraft and THEN enjoyed a private dining experience and a magnificent roast meal inside the museum just for our group. It really was sensational
These were stand outs to me but that’s not to say the rest weren’t truly enjoyable.
The Stockman’s Hall of Fame is an exceptional attraction with the mustering show a hit. So much time, money and thought has gone into making this venue an outstanding and informative stop for tourists and more importantly it honours our outback heroes. The memories, the yarns, the work that has gone into this attraction is truly mind blowing.
We loved the Vault where we enjoyed lunch and the tasty burgers in the beautiful courtyard.
We were honoured to enjoy lunch at The Drovers Place which is run by TV personality Cody Cook who with twin brother Luke were the winners of House Rules 2016 and take a tour of the site.
We loved the silver bullet train to Ilfracombe’s Wellshot Hotel and Machinery Mile. Our team made it so much fun and we loved the bar stools where we got our best photos!
Alan and Sue Smith are the custodians of Rosebank Station whixh was another exceptional visit which we all loved.
Alan and Sue have returned the station house to its former glory through hard work and an unwavering dedication to restoring the history of the region for others to enjoy.
They also own Outback Aussie Tours and Smithy’s Outback Dinner and Show and they absolutely lead by example.
This hard working family have done so much to bring people to the region they need to be singled out.
Exceptional people we were honoured to be guests of and their hand has touched every little part of our experience to make it exceptional
From the billy tea cooked on the open fire from silver mugs which we got to keep
to lining up at the end of the show to say goodbye to all the guests, they are without question incredible ambassadors and advocates for Longreach and its surrounds.
Will we go back to- in a heartbeat. It’s an incredible trip and one you won’t regret.
Details
2025 Whistle-Stop Tour of Longreach.
Outback Aussie Tours
